Genome analysis of the metabolically versatile Pseudomonas umsongensis GO16: the genetic basis for PET monomer upcycling into polyhydroxyalkanoates |
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| Authors: | Tanja Narancic Manuel Salvador Graham M. Hughes Niall Beagan Umar Abdulmutalib Shane T. Kenny Huihai Wu Marta Saccomanno Jounghyun Um Kevin E. O'Connor José I. Jiménez |
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| Affiliation: | 1. BiOrbic – Bioeconomy Research Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, 4 Ireland;2. Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH UK;3. UCD Earth Institute and School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, 4 Ireland;4. Bioplastech Ltd., NovaUCD, Belfield Innovation Park, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, 4 Ireland;5. UCD Earth Institute and School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, 4 Ireland |
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| Abstract: | The throwaway culture related to the single-use materials such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has created a major environmental concern. Recycling of PET waste into biodegradable plastic polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) creates an opportunity to improve resource efficiency and contribute to a circular economy. We sequenced the genome of Pseudomonas umsongensis GO16 previously shown to convert PET-derived terephthalic acid (TA) into PHA and performed an in-depth genome analysis. GO16 can degrade a range of aromatic substrates in addition to TA, due to the presence of a catabolic plasmid pENK22. The genetic complement required for the degradation of TA via protocatechuate was identified and its functionality was confirmed by transferring the tph operon into Pseudomonas putida KT2440, which is unable to utilize TA naturally. We also identified the genes involved in ethylene glycol (EG) metabolism, the second PET monomer, and validated the capacity of GO16 to use EG as a sole source of carbon and energy. Moreover, GO16 possesses genes for the synthesis of both medium and short chain length PHA and we have demonstrated the capacity of the strain to convert mixed TA and EG into PHA. The metabolic versatility of GO16 highlights the potential of this organism for biotransformations using PET waste as a feedstock. |
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